A fluid-redirecting structure includes a rigid body having an upstream end, a downstream end, and an axis of rotation, the rigid body incorporating a plurality of troughs each spiralled from a tip at the upstream end to the downstream end about the axis of rotation, the troughs being splayed with respect to the axis of rotation thereby to, proximate the downstream end, direct incident fluid along the troughs away from the axis of rotation.

A nanofriction power generation device with spiral vibrating balls and a buoy body thereof-includes an inner spiral barrel, an outer spiral barrel sleeved outside the inner spiral barrel, hollow balls between the two spiral barrels, an electric energy storage device contained in the inner spiral barrel, and a buoy barrel for containing the outer spiral barrel. The outer wall of the inner spiral barrel and the inner wall of the outer spiral barrel are respectively provided with first spiral tracks and second spiral tracks extending from one end to the opposite other end. The inner spiral barrel is in the outer spiral barrel, and the first spiral tracks and the second spiral tracks have a one-to-one correspondence and form spiral channels. Nanofriction electric generator films are attached to an outer surface of each hollow ball and an inner wall of each spiral channel.

A fluid displacement device including a center shaft and a plurality of vanes. Each of the plurality of vanes has an inner edge, an outer edge, and a spiraling edge disposed between the inner edge and the outer edge. The spiraling edge of each of the plurality of vanes follows a Fibonacci spiral based on circular arcs traced through a Fibonacci tiling comprising squares having side lengths that are a multiple of at least five successive Fibonacci numbers.

Provided is a vertical axis turbine with which blade lift is further increased, the use efficiency of the wind energy and the like is further improved, and initial motion is easy and reliable. One aspect of the present invention includes: a plurality of blades 20 that are connected to a rotation axis 11, have a blade span in the direction of the rotation axis 11 and a chord length in the rotation direction of the rotation axis 11, and are formed such that the distance thereof from the rotation axis 11 changes in a logarithmic spiral form from a blade tip 91 toward a blade root 92; small, so-called vortex generators 50 disposed on the blade surfaces; and so-called winglets 60 provided at the blade tips. Arms 30B connecting the blades 20 and the rotation axis 11 are also in a spiral or logarithmic spiral form and are formed in an airfoil shape so as to provide a sub-blade effect.

A fluid-redirecting structure includes a rigid body having an upstream end, a downstream end, and an axis of rotation, the rigid body incorporating a plurality of troughs each spiralled from a tip at the upstream end to the downstream end about the axis of rotation, the troughs being splayed with respect to the axis of rotation thereby to, proximate the downstream end, direct incident fluid along the troughs away from the axis of rotation.

A hydrokinetic generator including: a submersible housing defining a conduit therethrough for the flow of a fluid; a turbine mounted to the housing comprising at least one impeller located in the conduit for rotation by said flow; and at least one electrical generator coupled to the at least one turbine for converting mechanical energy from the turbine to electrical energy, the electrical generator including a plurality of elongate members bearing one or more magnetic regions, the elongate members being disposed about the at least one impeller and fast therewith; and a number of windings located within material of the housing and arranged for electromagnetic interaction with said magnetic regions whereby in use rotation of the impeller moves the magnetic regions past the windings to thereby induce an electrical current in the windings. The impeller may comprise a plurality of spiral, helical blades disposed about a common axle from a leading end thereof to a trailing end wherein a radius of the blades increases exponentially from the leading end to the trailing end.

A fluid displacement device including a center shaft and a plurality of vanes. Each of the plurality of vanes has an inner edge, an outer edge, and a spiraling edge disposed between the inner edge and the outer edge. The spiraling edge of each of the plurality of vanes follows a Fibonacci spiral based on circular arcs traced through a Fibonacci tiling comprising squares having side lengths that are a multiple of at least five successive Fibonacci numbers.

A run-of-the-river hydroelectric generating plant is disclosed, in which river water is diverted downstream, used in the hydroelectric generation process, and sent back to the river. A high-mass, large diameter hydro rotor for hydroelectric power generation is disclosed. A large diameter circular horizontal water flow, the desired water flow regime, is created to float and rotate the high-mass hydro rotor, which is coupled to a turbine shaft. Extremely high torque and angular momentum is provided for conversion into extremely high energy output. The desired water flow regime can be augmented with different configurations of penstocks, intake channels, and discharge channels.

A run-of-the-river hydroelectric generating plant is disclosed, in which river water is diverted downstream, used in the hydroelectric generation process, and sent back to the river. A high-mass, large diameter hydro rotor for hydroelectric power generation is disclosed. A large diameter circular horizontal water flow, the desired water flow regime, is created to float and rotate the high-mass hydro rotor, which is coupled to a turbine shaft. Extremely high torque and angular momentum is provided for conversion into extremely high energy output. The desired water flow regime can be augmented with different configurations of penstocks, intake channels, and discharge channels.

A hydrokinetic generator including: a submersible housing defining a conduit therethrough for the flow of a fluid; a turbine mounted to the housing comprising at least one impeller located in the conduit for rotation by said flow; and at least one electrical generator coupled to the at least one turbine for converting mechanical energy from the turbine to electrical energy, the electrical generator including a plurality of elongate members bearing one or more magnetic regions, the elongate members being disposed about the at least one impeller and fast therewith; and a number of windings located within material of the housing and arranged for electromagnetic interaction with said magnetic regions whereby in use rotation of the impeller moves the magnetic regions past the windings to thereby induce an electrical current in the windings. The impeller may comprise a plurality of spiral, helical blades disposed about a common axle from a leading end thereof to a trailing end wherein a radius of the blades increases exponentially from the leading end to the trailing end.